Plus, check out ways to get involved this month!



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"News Digest - Week of June 3, 2024
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A stone fire pit sits serenely amongst a sunlit forest, two adarondack chairs beckoning invitingly.

Register now for the 2024 Academy of Natural Resources at the RAM Center!



Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: 


* Calling all educators: Academy of Natural Resources filling fast [ #link_16 ]
* MI Birds summer events [ #link_17 ]
* Kick off summer fun with June events [ #link_2 ]
* Get involved: State park stewardship, planting trees for wildlife, state forest input [ #link_3 ]
* Photo ambassador snapshot: South Higgins sunburst [ #link_1 ]

See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom [ [link removed] ].

PHOTO FOLDER [ [link removed] ]: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used below, and others, are available in this folder. The photo of the indigo bunting courtesy Xianwei Zeng.

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Calling all educators: Academy of Natural Resources filling fast

A group of people stand around a presenter wearing DNR green as they gesture to the forest around them.

Looking for a chance to hone your teaching skills? Sign up for the DNR Academy of Natural Resources this summer. It's a chance to spend a week with biologists, foresters, conservation officers and other natural resource professionals and learn new ways to bring that expertise and knowledge to the classroom. The summer of 2024 looks like another popular year. 

“One session is already full, and all the others are close, so register soon,” said Kevin Frailey, DNR’s Education Services manager and creator of the program. “ANR is very popular with both formal and nonformal educators who want to learn how we manage their resources and how to bring elements of that back to the classroom or other venues like nature centers or zoos.”

ANR Classic (July 7-12)

Hosted at the DNR's Ralph A. MacMullan Center on Higgins Lake, ANR Classic is available for up to 60 educators in three courses. The cost is only $295 for five nights' lodging and 15 meals. Safari Club International – Novi has donated more than $100,000 to teachers’ scholarships for the past dozen years to keep the cost low.

Forests, Fields and Fins gives educators an opportunity to be a conservation officer for a day as well as a wildlife biologist, forester and fisheries biologist. Each day, participants learn how these professionals protect, enhance and manage our natural resources. 

Into the WILD is an outdoor education experience including archery, paddle sports, survival and land navigation.

“A new twist in 2024 will allow educators to test themselves on a final 'survival’ mission which will include locating an injured hiker, monitoring their injuries, building a fire and much more,” said Tom Kelly, who teaches a majority of the course.  

ANR North (Aug. 4-9)

Head to the Ford Center in the western Upper Peninsula. “Our northern program is like grad school” said Frailey. “Smaller, more field work and even more focus on a natural resource.”

The Forest Frenzy course gives an amazing overview of trees, forests and management. Tree identification and cruising timber are part of the program, along with other field trips unique to the U.P.  ANR North is only $350 with the scholarship. 

To find information on scholarships, the program and registration, visit Michigan.gov/ANR [ [link removed] ]. 

Questions? Contact Kevin Frailey <[email protected]> at 517-231-9046.



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MI Birds summer events

A bright blue bird perches amongst green, shrubby foliage.
Summer open house: Harsens Island at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area

Saturday, June 8, 8 a.m.-noon. 

Harsens Island at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area Field Office, 3857 Columbine Road, Harsens Island. [ [link removed] ]

Each year, Harsens Island at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area hosts nearly 200 migrating bird species. Along with providing waterfowl opportunities, St. Clair Flats is an Audubon Important Bird Area for the vulnerable, secretive marsh bird populations it supports each summer and is one of Michigan’s premier Wetland Wonders. These 3,355 acres of managed waterfowl habitat are part of the largest freshwater delta in the United States.

Learn more about this birding hotspot at a summer open house hosted by DNR with partners Audubon Great Lakes and Detroit Bird Alliance. *Please note*: A short, cash-only, car ferry ride [ [link removed] ] is the only way to access the island. 

Drive to different observation points, bring your own kayak or canoe to paddle along wetland and river channels, or walk along the dike system to explore the area.

 View event details and important information on accessibility. [ [link removed] ] 

 Questions? Contact Kaitlyn Barnes <[email protected]> at 586-719-1111.

Demystifying Michigan State Game Areas Webinar: Gourdneck State Game Area

Thursday, June 13, noon.

Online.

Gourdneck State Game Area is one of the best places in Michigan to experience the wonders of spring bird migration and summer wildlife viewing. Join MI Birds, an outreach program from DNR and Audubon Great Lakes, for a lunch-hour webinar to learn about this off-the-beaten path state game area and the birds that frequent it. There is no cost for the webinar, but registration is required [ [link removed] ].

Gourdneck is composed of a variety of habitat types including oak, mixed upland deciduous trees, openlands and wetlands, which support plentiful wildlife, including many migratory bird species. This recreation hot spot offers hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing and hiking, but is lesser-known among bird watchers.

Presenters from the DNR and Audubon Great Lakes will talk about which birds visit the area, what other wildlife you can expect to encounter, habitat management, recreation activities and upcoming events.

Questions? Contact Erin Ford <[email protected]> at 313-820-0809.

"These events are presented in partnership with ""MI Birds" [ [link removed] ]", a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan DNR. MI Birds aims to deepen all Michiganders’ engagement in the understanding, care and stewardship of public lands that are important for birds and local communities."



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Kick off summer fun with June events

A person wearing bright closing stands in high water, casting a line.

Want to experience Michigan’s natural and cultural resources this month? Here’s just a sampling – see the full events calendar at Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar [ [link removed] ]. 

*Fish, ride off-road, visit state parks for free * 

Twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities, Michigan fishing, for free! During the summer Free Fishing Weekend, June 8-9, all fishing license fees are waived for residents and out-of-state visitors fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations still apply. 

The summer Free Fishing Weekend is held in conjunction with "Three Free" weekend, when you can also ride off-road trails and visit state parks and DNR-managed boating access sites free of charge. All weekend long, a Recreation Passport will not be required for vehicle entry into state parks and boating access sites, and residents and visitors can legally ride Michigan's 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails and routes and the state’s six scramble areas without an ORV license or trail permit. All other ORV rules and laws still apply. 

Learn more this fun-filled weekend at Michigan.gov/FreeFishing [ [link removed] ].

*Try fly fishing, wilderness survival* 

This month’s Outdoor Skills Academy schedule features the June 22-23 Fly Fishing Clinic [ [link removed] ] – a class for beginners including demonstrations and instruction for various fly casts and instruction in fly selection based on target species – and the June 28-30 Bushcraft, Survival and Wild Edibles Clinic [ [link removed] ]. This unique, three-day class will teach the basics of what you need to survive in the event you find yourself stranded outdoors. You’ll learn to navigate with tools like a map and compass, as well as some wilderness first aid, ones you can gather to eat and which plants to avoid, how to safely start a fire without matches, how to shoot a bow and much more. 

Both classes will take place at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in Cadillac, and both will be offered again in July. Find a full list of upcoming classes at Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills [ [link removed] ]. 



A farmstand overflows with produce in the summer shade.
*Enjoy outdoor reading, root beer, music and more – with a Michigan history flavor* 

 The Michigan History Center’s sites will offer some fun ways to get a taste of state history while getting outdoors this month. During Reading and Root Beer Floats [ [link removed] ], June 12 at the Mann House in Jackson County, you can read a book in the shade on the lawn of this Victorian-era home and get a free root beer float. Enjoy an evening concert with musician Bob Bransky [ [link removed] ] – who performs a mix of early American, folk, acoustic rock/pop, gospel and original compositions with vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica and Appalachian dulcimer – June 13 at Cambridge Junction Historic State Park in Lenawee County. 

Sundays through September, check out the farmers market at Cambridge Junction [ [link removed] ], with vendors selling products including produce, plants, baked goods and, of course, Walker Tavern Root Beer. While there, explore the park and historic buildings. 

Keep an eye on the Michigan History Center events calendar [ [link removed] ] for other upcoming programs. 

*Explore the outdoors and more with the Outdoor Adventure Center* 

 The June calendar at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is packed with ways for everyone from preschoolers to retirees to connect with Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Check out the OAC activity schedule [ [link removed] ] for a full list – including fishing, archery and birding programs, nature exploration for kids, experiences for seniors, outdoor games and more.  

A few highlights include a Juneteenth walking tour [ [link removed] ], exploring Detroit’s Underground Railroad history, June 6; Yoga and Mindfulness in Nature, at Belle Isle Perk June 18 [ [link removed] ] and Milliken State Park June 27 [ [link removed] ]; and the chance to make a pollinator hotel [ [link removed] ] to help native pollinator species around your home during the June 28 Grown-up Gatherings event.



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Get involved: State park stewardship, planting trees for wildlife, state forest input

Volunteers work in an open field pulling spotted knapweed from the environment.

Each month, there are a variety of opportunities to help the DNR take care of Michigan’s natural and cultural resources. Here are a few ways to get involved this June. 

*Take part in state park volunteer stewardship workdays*  

Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems.  

Workdays will take place at: 


* Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 9 a.m. to noon Friday, June 7. 
* Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 8. 
* Grand Mere State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 8. 
* Muskegon State Park (Muskegon County), 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9. 
* Pinckney Recreation Area (Washtenaw County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 15. 
* Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 15 *and *Saturday, June 29. 
* Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 22. 
* Fort Custer Recreation Area (Kalamazoo County), 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 23.  

Find more details about each workday and registration on the DNR volunteer events calendar [ [link removed] ].



A volunteer plants a tree in a sparse plain
*Plant trees with MUCC On the Ground*  

Join Michigan United Conservation Clubs’ On the Ground [ [link removed] ] volunteer program in partnership with the DNR to plant trees in Luce County’s Newberry Forest Management Unit. Volunteers are needed Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A mix of red oaks and apple trees will be planted and fenced to improve availability of food for wildlife including white-tailed deer and upland game birds. The Silver Creek Birding Trail runs along the project site, for volunteers who want to check it out after the planting. Lunch, a volunteer T-shirt and insect head nets will be provided to all registered volunteers. 

Get more details and register for the Newberry tree planting event [ [link removed] ].

*Tell us about state forests*

Prescribed burns, timber harvests and other activities are carefully planned to keep Michigan’s nearly 4 million acres of state forest thriving. Plans for these activities are currently being made for 2026, but public input is welcome now. Find out what activities are planned and how to offer your input at Michigan.gov/ForestInput [ [link removed] ]. You can submit online comments during designated 30-day periods or attend an open house or compartment review meeting, where plans are finalized. See all scheduled comment periods, open houses and compartment review meetings for the 2024 season [ [link removed] ]. 

For more opportunities to volunteer, contribute and provide input, visit Michigan.gov/DNRVolunteers [ [link removed] ].



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Photo ambassador snapshot: South Higgins sunburst
The late afternoon sun dazzles through old-growth trees along a sandy shoreline.

See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors [ [link removed] ] at Instagram.com/MiStateParks [ [link removed] ]. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer <[email protected]> at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Karen Allmond [ [link removed] ], for the Michigan DNR, at South Higgins Lake State park in Roscommon County.)

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THINGS TO DO [ [link removed] ]

Kids Fishing Day [ [link removed] ] is Saturday, June 8, at the DNR Pocket Park at the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. All activities are free and open to kids 16 and younger.




BUY & APPLY [ [link removed] ]

Planning a boating vacation? If you’re renting a boat or personal watercraft (such as a Jet Ski), be sure you’re safety certified and take a copy of your boater safety certificate. [ [link removed] ]




GET INVOLVED [ [link removed] ]

Want to learn more about Michigan species, but not sure where to start? Find detailed info on fascinating wildlife like birds, bugs, mammals and more on our Michigan species learning page [ [link removed] ]!




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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Natural Resources · Constitution Hall, 525 W. Allegan St., PO Box 30028 Lansing MI 48909 · 1-800-439-1420